Behind The Song

We here at American Songwriter are obsessed with uncovering the meaning behind our favorite songs. Below, you’ll find deep dives into big hits, deep cuts, and everything in between.

Behind The Song

06.25.25

“Rocky Top”: Behind the Door of Room 388 and the Southern Football Battle Cry

By Cindy Watts
Behind The Song

06.23.25

The Song Metallica Allegedly Wrote About Axl Rose After Touring with Guns N’ Roses

By Clayton Edwards
Behind The Song

06.23.25

“If You’re Done, You’re Done”: The Real Reason Why Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You” Guitar Solo Sounds So Intense

By Melanie Davis
Behind The Song

06.23.25

John Lennon’s “Accidental” LSD Trip That Produced One of the Greatest Psychedelic Beatles Songs Ever

By Alex Hopper
Behind The Song

06.22.25

The Haunting Explanation for the Ending of “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay,” Which Hit No. 1 on This Day in 1968

By Melanie Davis
Features

06.22.25

Yacht Rock Essentials: Patti Austin and James Ingram Delivered Duet Gold with “Baby, Come To Me”

By Jim Beviglia
Behind The Song

06.21.25

How Huey Lewis Overcame His Worries About Movie Songs With “The Power Of Love”

By Jim Beviglia
Behind The Song

06.20.25

The Beatles Song John Lennon Wrote for Ringo Starr, Called It “The Funniest Thing I’ve Ever Done”

By Melanie Davis
Features

06.20.25

Revenge of the 90s: The Aroma of “Sex and Candy” Was Everywhere Thanks to Marcy Playground

By Jim Beviglia
Behind The Song

06.19.25

“I Didn’t Like It and Still Don’t”: Why Waylon Jennings Hated One of His Most Beloved Hits

By Melanie Davis
Features

06.19.25

The Reactions of the Men Behind Taylor Swift’s Debut Single, “Tim McGraw,” Released on This Day in 2006

By Melanie Davis
Behind The Song

06.19.25

“Look at That Old Codger”: The Hilarious Story Behind No. 1 Motown Hit, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)”

By Melanie Davis

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